Electrically-operated device to produce fluid motion.



WITNESSES:

XZLVM n. E. NEWCOMB. ELECTRICALLY OPERATED DEVICE TO PRODUCE FLUID MOTION.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 28, I9I3- Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

IN VEN TOR. R0 661:! ZZIIfeawom.

A TTORNE Y.

R. E. NEWCOMB'.

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED DEVICE T0 PRODUCE FLU ID MOTION.

. 'APPLICA TION FILED APR. 28. I913.

1,287,978 Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 21 [llllllllllllllllllllllllllll \\\\\\\w W I TNESSES: IN VEN TOR. m; gym 3058x112: jl/Ewcam.

A TTORNE Y En STATES PATENT OFF 'ROBERT E. NEWCOMB, or HOLYOKE, MAssAcHUsETTs.

ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED DEVICE TO PRODUdE FLUI ED MOTION.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

Application filed April 28, 1913. Serial No. 764,125.

To all whom. it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT E. Nnwoom; a citizen of the-United States of America, residing at Holyoke, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have -invented new and useful Improvements in Electrically-Operated Devices to Produce Fluid Motion, of which the following is a specification.

- This invention relates to electrically-operated devices for producing fluid motion. It is particularly designed for use in connection with pumping devices for elevating water or other fluids, and an object of the invention is in providing means which can be used 1n connection with deep or Artes an wells, since the electro-magnet c engine which is employed and which serves to reciprocate the armature may be directly connected to the piston of a pump which is located within the working barrel of the well. Heretofore, in very deep wells the rod that is connected to the piston, and generally known as the sucker rod," very often,

breakson account of its great length and the strains imposed thereon in operatlng the piston. The present invention is designed to replace this rod and to locate the electro-magnetic .engine or piston-actuating device directly within the well-casing or the well-barrel itself and locate it so that the armature'of this engine isdirectly connected to the piston of the pump. A further object is to provide means for causing the electric current that flows through the coils of this engine to produce an unbalanced magnetic field directly or, immediately in advance of the movement of the armature, whereby a A further, object. is to provide an electric recontinuous or constant pull is exerted on the.

plunger of the pump; also to provide means for changing the direction of the electric current flowing through the coils of the electro-niagnetic engine, whereby the direction of the plunger will be changed. These de-;

producing a constantor steady pull on the plunger. Further objects .of the invention .will be clearly setforth in the specification and particularly pointed out in the claims.

ciprocating engine or motor and pump com blned in the same casing; toprovide means to conduct the electric current to the electric engine when the latter-is submerged, as in' wells, sumps, mines; to provide means independent of. the electric engine for distributing the current to the coils of the engine; and to provide means carried within the casing and operated by the reciprocating element of the engine to properly distribute the current to the coils of the motor, where'- by an unbalanced magnetic pull will be exerted on the core, armature, or moving element of the engine.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure -l is a vertical sectional view through the lower end of the wall-casing, the working-barrel, the electro-magnet'ic engine, and showing its direct connection with the piston 'of the pump; also showing the lead-wires from the source of electrical energy that are connected to the coils of the I 'in place,the supporting casing being an open frame-work.

Fig. 3 is a top, plan view of the construction shown in Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 3, illustrating the armature or moving element of the engine and the coils thereof in section, also showing the manner of connectingthe lead-wires to the motor-coils.

Fig. 5 is a diagram. showing the wiring and the manner in which the circuit is made and broken to the various coils of the engine in succession as the moving element or armature travels from one end of its stroke to the other and also illustratingthe key or switch-device that is operated at the end of the travel of the armature for opening the circuit to some of the coils and closing it to other coils to cause the armature to reverse its direction of travel. I, L

Fig. 6 is a modification of the means for closing the circuit to the various coils, in

which afrotating commutator or slip-device view of Fig. 6,.showing the manner in which the commutator is trating the switch-closing means. thatisasb is the well working barrel and this is g. This connecting-piece is provided with oated directly within the well-casing and within which the valve-casing c'is located at its lower end, which is preferably formed with a slight taper, indicated at d, to effect a tight joint between the casing 05 and barrel 6. e designates the usual piston or plunger construction of the pump that is located within the casing 12 for drawing or lifting the water from the well and elevating it above the upper end of vthe casing. This plunger isformed with a threaded projection .7 that is secured to the connecting piece bearings or packing rings h which work in an opening in the filling-piece i. The fillingpiece isformed with an opening 7' in which is located a piston or bearing-member k. A. plate j closes the upper side of this opening 7'. The armature or moving member of the electro-magnetic engine is designated at m and the separated or spaced coils of the engine by the letter ,0. It will, therefore, be seen that the movable armature m of the engine is directly connected to the plunger 6 of the pump. The length of the opening j illustrates the extent of movement of the lifting piston 0 and also of the armature m. [n the position shown, it is at the upper end of its stroke. In order to permit free movements of the piston is, and the armature m, a groove or channel p is formed in the core or armature element m and extends its entire length. This groove connects the opening with the'opening Q, whereby the confined air in these openings can freely circulate'through the groove 3? from one opening 'to the other during the reciprocation of the armature.

The coils r of the electro-magnetic engine are spaced as shown in section in Figs. 1 and 4 at o, and in side elevation in Fig. 2 in order to readily :cool the same by the upward flow of the fluid. These coils are mounted in'and secured to an open workcasing .9, shown in Fig. 3 in the form of a cross permitt ng the fluid to pass upward .between the coils and the outer casing a (Fig. 1), which also serves as a pole-piece. u designates the cap-member to which the casing-s is attached and to which the'supporting and conduit pipe '2) is attached.

This pipe serves as a means for lifting the of the engine. The filling-piece a, which is used only with a single-acting plunger, is located between the plunger e and the engine, the connection 9 having a sliding movement in said piece 2', and the latter, as shown in Fig. 3, is provided with water-passages :1? parallel with its axis, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The filling-piece is not, of course, required when a double-acting plunger is used. By using a filling-piece, as 2', and mounting the connecting-piece 9 therein, it will be seen that such a construction will act as a differential plunger in a singleacting pump for the purpose of balanclng the load in both directions. The action of the connecting piece 9 as a differential plunger is more completely described as follows :Plunge'r e in descending displaces the fluid between it and the. foot valve 0; this displacement being equal to the displacement above the plunger 6 less the volume of that part of the connecting piece projecting through the lower opening of the filling piece Therefore,'inasmuch as the plunger e on'the down stroke displaces onthe under side more than is made room for by its upper side; an amount equal to the difference (which equals the amount which 9 projects through the lower opening of the filling piece 2') is forced up the casing. This specific construction for balancing the load is, however, only illustrative, as other wellknown means "may be substituted where the conditions are different. One familiar with the art could, of course, make the necessary change.

Referring now to the means for causing the armature m to have a reciprocating motion, reference is made to Fig. 5, in which the coils of the engine are shown Mg and the armature is indicated by the reference letter p.

3 designates a' reciprocating member or key which is attached to and moveswith the plunger is. This key-member is formed with two sharply-inclined surfaces 4 and 5. The

terminals of the coils 3 of the electro-mag: netic engine are indicated at 6 and 7 and are preferably composed of spring metal and which are normally in contact with each other but may be opened when one of the balls, indicated at 8, is forced against the member 6, of the contacts. The lead-wires for supplying current to the coils y are des-' ignated at 9 and the various coils are connected together by the wires 10. The other 7 of the coils 3 are closed, the current will flow directly from the wire 9 to and through switches 6 and 7, connecting wires 10, and leave by the wire 11, but should the switches of the coils be opened by the key-member 3 then the current will flow through the coils and act to move the armature p by causing.

an unbalanced magnetic field to be produced about the armature. In the position shown in Fig. 5, the switches of the coils 3 2 y and 3 are open. Therefore, these coils are energized by the current, the key 3 forcing the balls 8 directly against the members 6 of the switches to open the same. In Fig. 5 the armature is considered as moving upward in the direction of the arrow p, and after the armature p reaches the end of its travel it strikes the pivoted member 12, the end 12' of which engages the key 3 and forces the same downward, causing the inclined shoulder portion 5 to engage the ball next in order and open the switch of the coil adjacent this ball. Thisoperation deenergizesthe coils y at the upper end of the engine, and energizes the coils at the lower end, causing the armature to be attracted in the opposite direction, and it will be attracted by a constant pull in this direction by reason.of the inclined shoulder 5 engaging the balls in succession and producing a magnetic field immediately ahead of the armature 39. It will continue to move in this direction until it strikes the pivoted member 13, which will act in the manner described in connection with the pivoted. member 12,

I and this operation will move the key 3 in the opposite direction, cutting out the coils at the lower end of the engine and causing thecoils at the upper end to be energized, whereby the plunger will be moved in a reverse direction. The key 3 is slidably mounted on the plunger ;0 in any suitable way, but it is held thereto with suflicient friction to permit it to move with the plunger and at the same time permit the pivoted members 12 and 13 to move it when the plunger reaches the end of its travel.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modification for closing the circuits to the various coils of the electro-magnetic engine, the armature of which is shown at 14, and the revolving slip rings or segments are indicated at 15, with which the brushes 16 engage to close the circuits to the coils 17 of the engine in the proper sequence in order to energize the coils next in order for causing the reciprocation of the armature or plunger 14. The revolving slip rings are suitably driven from some suitable independent source of power. The mounting for these rings is shown in end elevation in Fig. 7. It-is to be understood in connect-ionwith the revolving slip-rings that they will, of course, be located above the upper end of the well-casing and not within, as is the case in the construction shown in Fig. 5. The slip-rings 15 are preferably mounted on a shaft/18 that is mounted in a suitable frame 19.

The construction shown in Fig. 8 is simiy lar to that-shown in Fig. 5, except brushes 20 are employed that are used to open and close the circuitstothe coils 21 of the engine. These brushes bear against a key 22 of which the parts 23 and 24 are insulated from each other, as indicated at 25. The brushes that engage the insulated portion '25 of the key 22 cause the current to flow about to commence its return downward movement.

&It will be clearly seen by reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 4 that by reason of the spaced arrangement ofthe coils of the electro-magnetic engine in the open casings, they will always be maintained in a cool condition, as the fluid which is elevated by the pump circulates about and in contact therewith. This is an important feature, since the coils are confined in a close chamber below ground, and some means must be employed to keep the coils cool. The present arrangement serves very well to accomplish the desired result.

.It is to be understood that when the term armature is used it applies, in general, to

the moving element of the engine, and it may be convenient in some cases to maintain the core or plunger element stationary and reciprocate the field coils, and vice versa. supporting pipe w serves to make watertight connections for the :lead wires. The wires may, of course, be covered with fluidproof covering and fluid-tight joints used to make the connections.

It is also understood that the invention is not to be limited in its application. to produce fluid motion by means of a plunger, as diaphragms or pistons may be substituted wherever desired.

It is to be understood that I do not hmit myself to the precise construction shown and described herein, as necessary changes'may' be made which render the structure better adapted to carry out the principles of the invention; as, for example, the length of the opening may be changed, as that shown is only lllustrative of the length of the travel of the moving element of the engine; also the use ofthe groove go is only one means of permitting the moving element to have free movements. It may, of course, be lomitted altogether and the member m be made small enough for free movement durin its travel.

- at I claim, is,-

1. The combination with the casing of a fluid-motion device,and its piston located therein, of an electro-magnetic engine for operating said piston and located within the casing, means to connect the piston and the moving element of the engine to ether, a

' filling-block between the piston an element,

- crate the piston, the armature being directly connected to, the piston and in axial aline Inent therewith, a casing to contain the engine, a filling-piece having an opening therein, a piston on the armature and located in the opening, the armature having a groove therein to permit the confined air to move freely from one end of the armature to the U other, and means to energize the engine to cause the armature to move ln'an unbalanced magnetic field, the whole being constructed and arranged within the well-casing, as'described.

3. In a device to producefluid motion, the combination, a casing, a reciprocating electric motor located therein, a plunger or suction member connected to the motor to lift or cause the fluid to move through the casing, the arrangement and construction of the coils being such as to cause the pumped fluid to circulate among the coils of the motor for cooling purposes, as described.

I. In a submerged pumping mechanism,

the combination with an inclosing casing,

amotor and a pumping device therein, and means to operatively connectthe same together, av filling-piece in which 'the connecting means is located, said connecting means serving as a differential piston in saidcasing, a-source of energyg' and means to connect the same to the motor.

; 5. .In a device for imparting motion to a fluid, the combination with 'an inclosing casing-member, a motor, a pumping device operatively connectedto the motor and inf the same axial alineinent, a filling. or spacing member between the motor and the pumpsource of energy, and means to connect ing device and formed with passageways therethroughto permit thefluid to move through the casing, said connecting means being located in the spacing member and guided thereby during its movements, -a the same to the motor. W

6. In'a pumpingdevice, the combination,

an electro-magnetic engine, of the reciproeating 'type,',a pumpmg device operatively,

' connected to the engine, 'the'coils' of the motor having a space therebetween and supported in an open work casing, .whereby when the engine is'confined in an inclosing casing, the fluid set in motion by the pumping device may circulate about said coils to maintain them in a cool condition, and means to supply energy to the engine, as described. In a pumping device, the combination with an electro-magnetic engine including an open-work casing and coils supported thereby, of a pumping device operatively connected with said engine, an inclosing casing forsaid engineiand pumping device arranged to cause the fluid pumped by the operation of the pumping device to pass around the separate coils of the engine to maintain said coils in a cool condition.

8. In a device for producing fluid motion, a casing serving as a fluid passage, an electric motor within said casing and having coils spaced from each other longitudinally and from said casing, and a pumping element in operative relation with said motor for moving a column of fluid in the casing and freely among the spacing of the coils of the said motor. d

9. In a device for producing fluid motion,- a deep well casing serving as a fluid passage, an electric motor within said casing and having spaced coils, apumping element in operative relation with said motor for moving a column of fluid in the casing and freely.

among said coils, and a conduit pipe out 01f from communication. with the fluid passage and accommodating means for delivering energy-to said motor and aflixed to the said motor to provide a means whereby the latter may be withdrawn from said casing.

10. Ina device for producing fluid motion, a casing serving as a fluid passage, a motor housed thereby, a pumping element in operative relation with said motor for moving a column of fluid in the casing, and a conduit pipe cut off from communication with the fluid passage and accommodating means for, delivering energy to said motor and. afiixed thereto to provide a means whereby the latter may be withdrawn from said casing.

. 11. Inadevice for producing fluid motion, a deep well casing having a suction and a discharge end, a motor within said suction end and remote from the discharge end and having at least a single reciprocating pumping element in operative relation therewith and for moving a column of water thro ugh said casing, an open cage supporting said motor and permitting free circulation of fluid around the assemblage thereof, and means for delivering energy thereto and for. withdrawing said motor from said casing.

12.. In adevice for producing fluid mo} tion, a deep well casing having'a suction end and a discharge end, a motor, a pumping element in operative relation therewith, means for sustaining a column of water, all

located in the suction end of said casing and remote from the discharge end thereof, and means for delivering energy to said motor and for Withdrawing said motor from said casing.

13. In a device for producing fluid motion, a deep well casing having a suction and discharge end, mechanism located in the lowermost end of the casing for moving a column of water through said casing in one direction only, and comprising a motor and a pumping element in operative relation therewith, and means for delivering energy to said motor and for withdrawing said motor from said casing.

14 Ina device for producing fluid motion, a deep well casing having suction and discharge ends, pumping mechanism includ- 4 ing a motor mounted within said casing at the lowermost end for moving a column of water through said casing, and having a remote control, and means for delivering energy to said motor and for withdrawing said motor from said casing.

ROBERT E. NEWCOMB. Witnesses WILLIAM M. HART, JAMES P. TAYLOR, Jr. 

